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Roundtable Talk: Predicting Free agent signings for the Texas Rangers this offseason

By Travis Koch

HOUSTON, TX - OCTOBER 16: Dallas Keuchel #60 of the Houston Astros reacts in the third inning as a play is reviewed against the Boston Red Sox during Game Three of the American League Championship Series at Minute Maid Park on October 16, 2018 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TX - OCTOBER 16: Dallas Keuchel #60 of the Houston Astros reacts in the third inning as a play is reviewed against the Boston Red Sox during Game Three of the American League Championship Series at Minute Maid Park on October 16, 2018 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /
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Texas Rangers
HOUSTON, TX – OCTOBER 16: Dallas Keuchel #60 of the Houston Astros pitches in the first inning against the Boston Red Sox during Game Three of the American League Championship Series at Minute Maid Park on October 16, 2018 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images) /

Matt Harvey/Dallas Keuchel

I want the Texas Rangers to make one free agent signing focused beyond 2019. Someone that is not a one year placeholder. Someone that is not far beyond his prime. There are a few free agent starting pitchers that meet those stipulations.

Of the few, Dallas Keuchel and Matt Harvey are the best options.

Dallas Keuchel

Keuchel (30 years old) has been the model of consistency ever since his breakout season in 2014. He’s only three seasons removed from his Cy Young award and he is coming off yet another solid season. In 2018 with the Houston Astros, the lefty won 12 games, posted an ERA of 3.74 and allowed only 18 home runs. His 34 starts ranked second in MLB and his 204.2 innings pitched ranked 7th.

He checks every box…

-Ace

-Leader

-Innings Eater

-Winner

-High IQ on the mound

-Ground ball pitcher

He would be an outstanding sign! Is he worth 4 years/$80 million? Probably, but the Rangers may not feel comfortable paying that amount. If his market demand continues to fade, maybe Texas can swoop in for a favorable deal to both sides.

Matt Harvey

Harvey (29 years old) will be cheaper. Plus, with his injury history, teams may refrain from offering him more than one or two years. If the Rangers can sign him to 3+ years, perhaps option-based and incentive-based, they could potentially have the steal of the offseason.

Harvey may not be what he once was, but he’s still a good pitcher. His fastball averaged 95.7 mph last season, which is the highest since 2015 with the New York Mets. He also still has a swing-and-miss curveball, and he always has great command of the strike zone.

Matt Harvey would step in and give the Rangers rotation a different look. Surrounded by lefties and sinker-ball pitchers, he would be the hard-throwing right-hander that every rotation needs.

Not to be overlooked with Harvey, and Keuchel for that matter, is fans will show up to see these guys pitch. Texas desperately needs a name that will help sell tickets.

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